Archbishop John Nienstedt (Remember him?...

[hedgehog]

The one who turned the Catholic Mass and that church’s holiest sacrament into a weapon with which to bludgeon LGBT people?) does NOT want dissent within the clerical ranks when it comes to same-sex marriage.

In a dictatorial move, Nienstedt essentially told the priests of his diocese that when it came to the Minnesota Catholic church’s campaign to pass a constitutional marriage discrimination amendment, they had two choices: help out or shut up.

It is my expectation that all the priests and deacons in this Archdiocese will support this venture and cooperate with us in the important efforts that lie ahead. The gravity of this struggle, and the radical consequences of inaction propels me to place a solemn charge upon you all — on your ordination day, you made a promise to promote and defend all that the Church teaches. I call upon that promise in this effort to defend marriage. There ought not be open dissension on this issue. If any have personal reservations, I do not wish that they be shared publicly. If anyone believes in conscience that he cannot cooperate, I want him to contact me directly and I will plan to respond personally.

http://www.truthwinsout.org/blog/2012/01/21315/


The priests are indoctrinated to believe that obedience to the bishop outweighs every other moral consideration. It takes a lot of courage and soul searching to go against the rules from above. I'd say the priests in Minnesota need our prayers.

And for us lay people - here's something to ponder:

"Minnesota Catholics: if you put money into the collection plate on Sundays, this is what you’re supporting. Yes, Nienstedt’s bigotry is out of step with the vast majority of Catholics. Yes, the Catholic church provides important services to poor and disadvantaged people. But there are dozens if not hundreds of charitable organizations providing the same services as the Catholic church without the spiritual bullying. When you donate to your local parish instead of these other charities, though, you give tacit approval to Nienstedt’s reprehensible persecution of your LGBT family members, friends, neighbors, and congregants."

[Angry Dragon]

1. It is always good to put your church above your god

[47of74]

2. Sigh / ugh

Sigh / ugh.

It's idiots like this guy who push people like me who were born, lived, and thought they would die Catholic out the door in the zeal to worship at the altar of hate and bigotry.

[Matilda]

3. Interesting sideline to the final quote in your post.

"Minnesota Catholics: if you put money into the collection plate on Sundays, this is what you’re supporting. Yes, Nienstedt’s bigotry is out of step with the vast majority of Catholics. Yes, the Catholic church provides important services to poor and disadvantaged people. But there are dozens if not hundreds of charitable organizations providing the same services as the Catholic church without the spiritual bullying. When you donate to your local parish instead of these other charities, though, you give tacit approval to Nienstedt’s reprehensible persecution of your LGBT family members, friends, neighbors, and congregants."

During the recent Charitable Works Fund drive, our parish (three churches) was assessed at $32,000+. The collection netted $5,000+. The parish is quite big, and usually generous, so the parish priest started asking people why they weren't donating to this one. The reply he got from most was "we don't want our money to go to Cardinal Pell". The feeling did surprise me a little, given that the parish is predominantly 50+ in age, and I suspect many vote conservative. As this hasn't happened before, I wonder how much of the antipathy to the Cardinal is because of the changes to the liturgy and the perceived attempt to take the Church backwards. But it all goes to show that if the Vatican thinks it can bring people into line by appointing bishops that people don't like or respect, it's going to rebound on the Church.